Rory McIlroy faced a series of challenges during the opening round of the BMW PGA Championship, including a remarkable incident where the head of his 8-iron detached mid-swing on the par-five 12th hole. Despite this equipment failure, McIlroy managed to land the ball near the green and secured a birdie, which tied him for the lead at five-under par. Earlier in the round, he had to creatively use his putter backwards on the eighth hole due to a difficult lie near the water, ultimately making par. The broken club left both McIlroy and his fellow competitors in disbelief, with one noting it was an unusual sight. Following the mishap, he promptly handed the faulty club to an official for repair and continued his strong performance, sinking a 40-foot birdie putt on the next hole to take the outright lead. McIlroy's resilience and skill were highlighted as he bounced back from previous tournament disappointments, showcasing his competitive spirit at Wentworth.